SPORTING.

Southland Times, Issue 18856, 23 June 1920, Page 3

SPORTING.

NOTES BY SIR MODRED. The Hawke’s Bay J.C. Winter meeting will open to-day at Hastings and extend over Thursday, with the Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club's fixture to follow on Saturday under the auspices of the Jockey Club. Although that smart galloper Sunart, who is detained at Riccarton owing to transport difficulties is being steadily exercised on the tracks, it is anticipated that he will not be required for active service until the spring meetings arc in session. The second and third events on the card at Hastings to day will be the Hawke s Bay Hurdles and Hawke'.- Bay Steeplechase respectively. The H.B. Hunt Clubs meeting will be tacked on as a third day of the H.B.J.C.'s fixture on Saturday. A promising ci*zuj<date for the Hawke s Bay Steeplechase is the aged gelding Khartoum, trained by that experienced mentor where jumpers are concerned, P. Cotfey. With 10.8 to carry the son of King Rufus and Lady Grattan may trouble the best of his rivals, as he has performed very consistently during the current season. In the spring he won two steeplechases at Wanganui, sir.ee when he has won twice and has been placed five times over hurdles. When a hurdle racer possessed of pace takes to the cross-country game it generally pays to bo with him. One of the proposals to come before the Racing Conference, the, request of the deputation of jockeys which waited on the president of the Conference recently, is the following with regard to apprentices: ‘'Provided that, having served continuously as an apprentice for nine months, he may be granted a license to ride in races entire.y confined to apprentices.’’ .The speedy Birkenvale may be heard of to advantage as a hurdle-racer in the near future, as he was leading at the last jump in the Moteo Hack Hurdle Handicap at Napier Park when he came to grief. Tins left Hendra to win from All Over, who lost ground at his jumps. The winner’s rider lost a stirrup-iron during the while Ilcndra was lame on pulling up. Ail Over should be a hard horse to beat when more seasoned as a contestant over the battens. As his name appears in the list of acceptances for the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase it would appear that Lochella has reached Hasting?, or has every chance of doing so. He’ has tn carry a good horse’s weight to-day, but 12.S should not stop a horse of his class, unless Khartoum and Oakleigh 110.7) are better performers than turfites have hitherto been led to believe. The pair referred to may extend the Otago-owned ’chaser, but three miles is claimed to be too far for the clever Aucklander Peueton. The well-known horseman A. Oliver informed "trir Lancelot” of Wellington Post List week that he has definitely retired from the riding business, with which he was prominently associated for several years. He served his time with J. H. Prosser at Porirua. and then joined the Highden stable, with which he has been associated ever since except during the time he was away at the war. He rode the winners of many important races, winning the Stewards’ Handicap on Penates, Nylaiul, and Croesus, the C.J.C. Metropolitan on Armistice and Apa, the C.J.C. Derby on Bon Reve, the Great Autumn Handicap, Egmont Cup and Napier Gup on Bronze, Rangitikei Cup on Apa, the Winter Cup on Penates, North East and N'yhuu!, the Dunedin Cup on Gboorka, Egmont Cup on Milan ami Undecided, and Manawatu Cup on Bourrasque. Mr G. Currie, the Wanganui studm.aster, recently informed a Wellington writer that Absurd's list for the incoming season is full at IUO guineas per mare. The imported English horse and sire of the leading two-year-old of the current season, viz., Humbug, is a well-bred stallion by Semdridgc Amphion—Sierra, by Springfield), from Absurdity, by Melton—Violet Nuerose, by Scottish Chief. As a two-year-old racehorse in England Absurd set the-scal on his fame by winning the Middle Park Plate (six furlongs I, 0.0, from nine others, the field being one of the strongest numerically ever started iur the classical juvenile event. With reference to the pro[<osed meeting between Amythas and Arrowsmith, Mr Harold Brown, owner of the last-named, informs "Sir Lancelot,” of Wellington Post, that ho i- quite agreeable to the pair meeting, and suggests the distance to be a mile on the Riccarton course (if the permission of the Canterbury Jockey Club can be obtained), any time betore he leaves for England at the end of the month. A three-year-old engaged in carrying the * King's colours this season bears the name of Great Joy. Hie colt in question is by the Epsom Derby winner Suns tar from Glad Tidings. When F. D. Jones returns to Riccarton at the end of the current week —he has been away on a shouting expedition to the Wanganui district —something definite is likely to be heard of the reported sale of Amy thru-, who is still at C.J.C. headquarters, No far none of Jones's relations have heard anything of a convincing nature as to the alleged disposal of the crack. Reports are current to the effect that ■everal horses prepared tit Trentham have recently displayed signs of having become affected in the wind. Provided the ten horses standing their ground in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles face the barrier to-day, there should be a good race between the top-weights, with Mill o’ Gowrie (11.4 1 giving Kauri King (11.4; and Thrace (11.9; a good race. If Mr Kemball should depend upon Rekanui (4EO) in preference tn Mill o' Gowrie, the sou of llagfall and Mignon should put up a good race. Paddington Green (10.11) may be the best of the outsiders, as he has been galloping fairly well of late, but his credentials hardly entitle him to head otl Mill of Gowrie. Kauri King and Thrace, each of whom has run well of late. It is rumoured in Wellington that some southern horsemen will have difficulty in getting across Cook Strait for the Wellington R.C.'s July fixture. For some time past certain Riccarton horsemen have been considering the prospects of flying to Trentham, and they may be hastened in the adventure if sea transport proves difficult to obtain next month. When the weight-adjuster for the Royal meeting at Ran cl wick handicapped Lochella and Thrace for the hurdles he set the Otago gelding to carry 10.12 and Thrace 12.2. lor the same event. Fisher (N'.Z.) was Assessed at 10.2 and British Arch 11.2. It will be remembered that Fisher subsequently scored over the A.J.C. hurdle course on the second day of the meeting, on Saturday last. During the season just closed the N'.Z. Metropolitan Trotting filub (Christchurchi paid in taxes to the Government the sum of £24,315 8s Id, and it looks as if a further amount w;ii have to accounted for in income tax. It is about time followers of racing and trotting in Maorihuul called upon the Government to cry a halt in connection with the taxation of sport. What about that section of the community who abhor sport? Why should some means not be devised to tax their hoarded wealth or hobbies in proportion to the amount claimed from both branches of the racing game. For the average member of Parliament ami mo.-t of the Ministerial heads there is only erne game in the world-- -politics. In pursuit of (heir “sport” these time-serving politicians have found it an easy matter to tax the warm-hearted ami somewhat careless turfite, while they gro> el and crawl to the lightly-taxed wowser, who is reputed to have at command a huge block vote. For a horse with a Grand National Steeplechase to his credit (says a Wellington writer 1 , few horses have been less advertised by N'ew Zealand writers in Aus-

tralian papers than Lochella. The Century Hurdles win took place ten days before the handicaps for the V.R.C. event.- - appeared., and the result was probably not sent across, otherwise it is unlikely Lochella would have got in the Flemington race with 9.10. A business list recently received from Melbourne had the liberal odds of GOO to 1 opposite the Lochella combination. When the last mail left Bright Plume and lolaus was a popular combination for the Flcmington double. Bright Plume, ridden by H. Cairns, recently ran third in the Federal Hurdle Race at Monee Valley. The stewards held an inquiry but accepted the explanation. At the .Royal meeting he was backed, hut could only get think Ridden by the New Zealand jockey, lolaus won the Prince of Wales Steeplechase on the concluding day of the Royal meeting. Stan Reid won on Sir Prim on the opening day. In regard to the foregoing paragraph, it may be pointed out that most of the information supplied to Australia in connection with Mnnriland racing matters is compiled in the North Island, hence southern performers are apt to be overlooked. During the past few months this fact obtruded itself in regard to both Amythas and Lochella, but an awakening came in duo course—many North Islanders are still of the opinion that Lochella is not a top-notcher. The fees paid to officials during the past season by the N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club were as follows:—Secretary’s salary, £400; handicapi>cr £350; clerk, £208; starter, £l4l 15s; judges, 141 15s, clerk of scales, £74 os; clerk of £37 IGs; gatemen and course officials, £GI2 I4s; timekeepers, £94 IQs. At a meeting of the Management Committee of the Otago Hunt Club on Monday evening last it was decided to make inquiries as to the suitability of August 2lsl for a totalisator racing fixture, in [dace of September 11th, as already arranged. Melbourne papers report a remarkable occurrence. Nine valuable thoroughbred mares, owned by Mr S. O’Keefe, horsebreeder, met their death in a horse truck whilst being conveyed from Morweil to Bacchus Marsh. Eleven marts were put in. the truck at Morweil. On the arrival of the train at Dandenong six of them were dis covered to bo dead, and three others were so badly injured that the police decided tc shoot them. It is surmised that an unusually severe bump caused one or more oi the animals to fall, and their struggles to regain their feet caused a panic amongst the others, soon developing into a furious kick ing battle. The proposal by Sir George Clifford, on behalf of the N.Z. Racing Conference, to establish an Unregistered Trainers’ and Jockeys’ Association, is, sooner or later, doomed to failure. He asks jockeys employed by trainers to act in conjunction with their employers, an arrangement that has proved totally unsatisfactory in other walks of fife —to the employees. Then, what is to become of licensed jockeys not employed in stables, steeplechase riders, for instance, many of whom pursue other callings in the off season? Have the.-e unattached jockeys and jumping riders no rights at all, or is it the intention to force all licensed horsemen to work in stables at a rate to be decided by trainers and their employees and the Racing Conference? Had Sir George Clifford proposed the formation of separate associations for trainers on the one hand, and all jockeys on the other, there would have been some sympathy for his proposal. In the meantime, the majority of the jockeys and stablemen of New Zealand have organised themselves in accordance with the laws of the land and are entitled to have their claims considered by the Arbitration Court. They may be induced to fall in with the idea of combining with the trainers (their employers) under the Racing Conference (mostly employers of the trainers), but the writer has serious doubts in this connection and hopes that they will not waste their time in supporting a hazardous and one-sided experiemeut of the unregistered class proposed. RICCARTON SPORTING NOTES. GLOOMY PROSPECTS FOR WELLINGTON. (Special to the Times). CHRISTCHURCH, June 22. Coalition appears to have recovered from' the lameness that prevented him from rac-

! ing at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s Winter i meeting and he is moving along freely in i useful tasks at Riccarton. j The Southland jockey W. Robinson is ! spending a holiday at Riccarton at present. , Ho is a regular visitor to the tracks during |.yorking hours, and, being a very handy | weight, his services are welcomed by a number of trainers, j The Antagonist mare Counterscarp, who went amiss in the spring, is again in regular work. She is a smart galloper who would make a useful performer if she remained sound. Moorfowl ,one of the leading two-year-old performers of the present season, will probably join Cutts Bros.’ active division in a few days after being oft the scene for nearly three months. G. Murray Aynsley has recommissioned Warlove, Algidus, Orange Mart, Reproachful and Glentanner. Another of his team, Wartone, has been doing steady work for some j time past. Pyjama will be operated on this week for throat troubles, alter which he will have a qiell for six or eight months. It seems pretty certain that no horses from the South Island will get to Trentham for the Winter meeting of the Wellington Racing Club next mouth. In view of this fact, the meetings of the South Canterbury Hunt and Brackcuficld Hunt may attract the North Island jumpers who are now held up at Riccarton. THE JOCKEYS' DISPUTE. RACING CONFERENCE ASSOCIATION PROPOSED. (Special to the Times). CHRISTCHURCH, June 22. In connection with the jockeys’ dispute Sir George Clifford, president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, has circularised all trainers and jockeys, suggesting the formation of an Unregistered Trainers’ and Jockeys’ Association, to meet annually or oftener if required. This organisation could bring under the notice of the executive of the Racing Conference any complaints or proposed alterations in the Rules of Racing. Membership of such an association woula bo limited to licensed trainers and jockeys attached to stables. The circular is‘in the form of an application for membership in this unregistered association. The New Zealand Jockeys’’ Association characterised this as an attempt to form a “scab union,” and has warned its members against signing anything issued by the Racing Conference. BOXING. The annual Otago amateur boxing championship tournament will be held on the evenings of Monday and Tuesday next (June 28 and 2(1). Entries are due with the secretary Mr H. Divers at or before 7 p.m. on Friday, June 25. It is announced that all expenses will be paid to competitors only and southern competitors are advised that their entries must be certified to by the secretary of the Southland Boxing Association. Latest advice from London is to the effect that Tommy Burns is strenuously training at Bournemouth for his fight with Joe Beckett, which is to take place at the Albert Hail, London, next month. The Daily j Mail boxing expert slates that Burns’s conj dition is a revelation, and his speed is ir ar- | vellous. | It is stated that a movement is on foot j to establish North and South Island amaI teuri championship tournaments. It is thought that the present championship I meeting is becoming unwieldy, and furtherI more, that under the present system, there 1 is always the possibility that some of our best amateurs may be debarred from competiu, and that therefore our best representatives are not obtainable for the Australasian championship gatherings. TARANAKI JOCKEY CLUB. COMPREHENSIVE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME. (Per United Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, June 22. The Taranaki Jockey Club to-night unanimously adopted a recommendation providing for a comprehensive and ambitious scheme of improvements to the racecourse, estimated to cost £70,000. The scheme provides for the purchase of an additional area of nearly 24 acres adjacent tc the present course, making a total of 55 acres,

and for the adoption of a plan of improvements submitted by A, C. Hill, of Elierslie. When the scheme is completed the club will have one of the finest and most up-to-date racing tracks in the Dominion. It is likely that it will be at least seven years before the improvements are completed. FOOTBALL. RUGBY TO-DAY. With the object of conserving the main playing area, and at the same time to provide the best pace for the encouragement of fast play, the executive of the S.R.F.U. have for to-day decided to play the matches north and south. Briefly, thus means that the old stand will provide the best point of vantage, and the No. 1 area will be in close proximity to the inner fence on the western side, where a splendid view can also be obtained. Each week brings forth increased interest in the Wednesday competition, and the two matches set down at 2.45 p.m. at Rugby Park to-day, viz., Invercargill v. Waikiwi and Star vr.. Athletics, should provide the necessary play to make a pleasant afternoon’s outing.— (Advt.j LAWN TENNIS. WIMBLEDON - CHAMPIONSHIPS. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cabie Association.) LONDON, June 21. (Received June 22, 10.20 p.m.) The Wimbledon tennis championships opened in perfect weather. The following wen in the first round:— Singles—Kingscote, Mavrogordato, Ritchie and Gore (England) ; Johnston, Tilden, Grihnul and Williams (America) ; Lycett (Australia) ; Fisher (New Zealand) ; Laurentz and Gobert (France) ; Shimidzu (Japan); Zcrlendi (Greece); Misu (Rumania), and Dodd (South Africa). The losers include Shcrwell (South Africa).